Flower collections for history buffs

Ever wonder what our founding fathers did in their spare time? After a hard day of fighting for independence, do you think Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Patrick Henry spent time in the garden planting hollyhocks? I never really thought about who planted all those flowers in colonial gardens, but somebody must have.

Now QVC will be selling seven plant collections inspired by Colonial Williamsburg. The Berry Patch Collection includes raspberry, strawberry and blueberry plants; The Shade Tolerant Collection includes Christmas fern, hellebores, Virginia bluebells and lily of the valley. Got sun? They're also hawking The Alexander Craig Collection, which comprises garden phlox, hollyhock and daylilies. There's also a Three Seasons of Iris Collection.

The Founding Father Collection was inspired by the writings of Thomas Jefferson, where he revealed his interest and love for Virginia’s gardens. The collection includes flowers Jefferson liked: damask rose, hollyhock, peony, cardinal flowers and Turk’s cap lily.

According to a press release about the collections, settlers were amazed by the plants they found in Virginia, especially those with dramatic fall foliage. So, naturally, they're also selling The Fall Foliage Collection, that "provides attractive blooms and fruits that will flourish all year."

QVC will debut the Williamsburg plants on the air at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday (March 10) during the "Gardens of Williamsburg" show. Colonial Williamsburg’s horticulturist Laura Viancour is scheduled to appear during the broadcast to introduce the collections, and a portion of the profits from sales will support the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and its educational programs.